Method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat or full-fashioned knitting machine and an automatic mechanism for carrying out said method



es. 9, 1947. T F. LAMBACH 3 ,110

METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A FLAT OR FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MACHINE AND AN AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD Original Filed Oct. 4, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1947.

F. LAMBACH .432.110 METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A FLAT OR FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MACHINE AND AN AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD Original Filed Oct. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 42 /rz L/Z/YBflC/V Z ATTORNEY 2,432,110 UTTING 0F YARN IN A HINE AN Dec. 9, 1947. F; LAMBACH METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING AND C FLAT OR FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING 'MAC D AN AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD Original Filed Oct. 9 Sheets-Sheet 3- INVENTOR 1.2 ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1947. F. LAMBACH METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A FLAT OR FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MACHINE AND AN AUTOMATIC RYING OUT SAID METHOD Original F1 MECHANISM FOR CAR led Oct. 4, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1947.

\NVENTOR ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1947. F. LAMBACH METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A E AND AN AUTOMATIC FLAT OR FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MACHIN MECHANISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD Original Filed 'Oct. 4, 1939 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR F. LAMBACH- TOMA'I'IC CLAMPING A 2,432,110 OF YARN IN A CHINE AND AN AUTOMATIC ISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD Original Filed Oct. 4; 1939 Dec 9, 1947.

METHOD FOR THE AU ND CUTTING FLAT OR FULLFASHIONED KNITTING MA MECHAN 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 .2 (I: wxml .2 2 I.

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ATTORNEY Dec. 9, 1947. F. LAMBACH 2.432.110

MATIC CLAMPING AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A ONED KNITTING MACHINE AND AN AUTOMATIC METHOD FOR THE AUTO FLAT 0R FULL-FASHI MECHANISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD Original Fi led Oct. 4, 1959 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 82 I INVENTOR F/ /7Z LHNBHCA W242. ATTORNEY F. LAMBACH THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING 2,432,110 AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A MACHINE AND A G OUT SAID METH Original Filed Oct. 4, 1959 N AUTOMATIC 0D 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Dec. 9, 1947.

METHOD FOR FLAT OR FULL-FASHIONED KNITTING MECHANISM FOR CARRYIN INVENTOR F/Q/TZ L/7/715/7CH BY @0 5. ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 9, 1947 METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC CLAMPING AND CUTTING OF YARN IN A FLAT OR KNITTING MACHINE AND AN AUTOMATIC MECHANISM FOR CARRYING OUT SAID METHOD FULL-FASHIONED Fritz Lambach, Tenafly, N. J., assignor to Robert Reiner, Incorporated, Weehawken, N. J.

Original application October 4, 1939, Serial No.

297,829, now Patent No. 2,363,008, dated November 21, 1944. Divided and this application August 16, 1944, Serial No. 549,734. In Germany March 6, 1939 42 Claims. 1

This application is a divisional application divided out of my patent application Ser. #297,829, filed October 4, 1939, for Art of knitting fabric onto prefabricated fabric blanks, now Patent No. 2,363,008.

This invention relates to a method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a fiat or full-fashioned knitting machine and a mechanism for carrying out said method.

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and a mechanism, by means of which the yarn or yarns extending from the yarn carrier or yarn carriers to the fabric may be automatically clamped and out after the completion of the fabric.

Another object of the invention is to provide a method and a mechanism, by means of which the end or ends of the yarn or yarns extending from the yarn carrier or yarn carriers may be automatically held by clamping means until the knitting of a new fabric has been started.

A further object of my invention is to improve upon the construction of knitting machines as now ordinarily made.

My invention consists in certain novel features of construction of my improvements as will be hereinafter fully described.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following disclosure of an illustrative embodiment thereof.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the application of the invention to a so-called heeler or heeling machine of the flat or full-fashioned knitting machine type, which is intended to knit heel-tabs as continuations of the highheel portions of a combination leg and foot full-fashioned stocking blank, and to interknit said blank with the heel tabs. It is, however, to be understood, that the invention is in no way limited to such a heeler or heeling machine, and that the automatic clamping and cutting mechanism may be applied to knitting machines of different types as well.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a flat knitting machine equipped with the clamping and cutting mechanism according to the invention, someparts being broken away,

Fig. 2 is a section taken on line 22 of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is an enlarged rear elevation of the knit- 2 ting machine with certain parts removed for the sake of clarity,

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail of a part of the knitting section of the flat knitting machine, illustrating the needle bar and the yarn clamping and cutting mechanism,

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 8-8 of Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 with the parts in another position,

Fig. 10 is a face elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 9 in the direction of line |0--l0 with the parts in another position,

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Figs. 8 and 9 with the parts in still another position,

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 10 with certain parts in section to illustrate a construction thereof,

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line l3-l3 of Fig.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic illustration of a combination leg and foot blank with the heel tabs knitted therein, and

Fig. 15 is an enlarged detail of the yarn clamping and cutting mechanism.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the automatic clamping and cutting mechanism is arranged on a heel-knitting machine of the fiat or full-fashioned knitting machine type, by means of which heel tabs 8l6 (see Fig. 14) are knitted on to the high heel portions 804 of a prefabricated stocking blank 800 and are at the same time interknitted with the sole portions 808 of said stocking blank.

The knitting machine shown in the drawings comprises a motor 650 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4) for the normal high-speed operation of the knitting machine and a motor 652 for occasional low-speed operation of the knitting machine. Said motors 650 and 652 are attached to the support [6 carrying the frame 12 of the knitting machine. The high-speed motor 658 is directly connected to the main cam shaft 18 of the knitting machine through the medium of a gearing B54, 656, 660 and 652 for driving the main cam shaft l8. A free wheel coupling 665 is arranged between the low-speed motor 652 and the pinion 664 also meshing with the gear 656 of said gearing. Furthermore, a change-over switch 668 (see left half of Fig. 2) controlled by the pattern chain 106 of the knitting machine in a suitable manner is mounted on the frame of the knitting machine. When the switch 668 is in such a position that the high-speed motor 650 is fed with current from the electric source, the high-speed motor drives the main cam shaft [8 through the medium of the gearing 654, 656, 600, 662, whereby the pinion 664 is also rotated by the gear 656, the low-speed motor 652, however, is not rotated, as the free wheel coupling 666 is arranged between the pinion 664 and the low-speed motor 652. When, on the other hand, the switch 668 is in such a position that the low-speed motor 652 is fed with current from the electric source, the low-speed motor 652 drives the gearing 656, 660,662, by means of the pinion 6&4, which now is positively rotated by the coupling 666, so that the-main cam shaft 3 is revolved slowly. In this case, the gear 653 rotates the pinion 054 directly connected with the high-speed motor 650, so that the rotor ofthe high-speed motor 650 is also slowly rotated. Thus, during the operation of the knitting machine either the high-speed motor 650 or the low speed motor 652 drives the main cam shaft l8 so that the latter constantly rotates. Of course, a manual switch, not shown in the drawings, is provided, by means of which the flow of current to the change-over switch 668 may be interrupted, in order to arrest the knitting machine, if necessary.

Now, the mechanism for clamping and cutting yarn and its controlling mechanism shall be described.

Figs. 2 and 15 show two clamping and cutting devices, one on each side of the needle section, while Fig. 7 shows only the right hand cutting device in front view and enlarged. On each side of the needle section a block 402' is adjustably arranged on the sinker head- I32 (see Fig. 13) of the knitting machine by means of an elongated slot and a screw in order to adjust the cutting device to the width of the fabric to be knitted. This block 402 has two tracks 404 and 405- (Figs. 9, l and 13) arranged above each other; In each of these horizontal tracks an abutment M0 and M6 respectively is arranged. The hook-like member 408 of the clamping means is slidably arranged in thetrack '404 for cooperation with the clamping abutment 4H), while the hook-like element 4l4 of the cutting means is slidably arranged in the track 405 for cooperation with the cutting abutment M; When according to Fig. 9, the hook-like clamping member or clamp 408 and the hook-like cutting element or knife 4I4 are in a position projecting from the block 402 into the working field of the yarn carrier I082) for catching a thread, the knife projects further toward the center of the section, so that upon returnmovement of the yarn clamp and the knife in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig, 9, at first the clamp 408 grips the yarn and clamps same against the abutment 4l0 whereupon the knife 414 grips the thus clamped yarn and severs same; As shown in Fig. 12, all parts of the yarn clamp 408 are round in order to prevent a cutting of the yarn by the clamp, whereas the knife 4l4 has sharp edges. According to Fig. 7, the rod-like end of the knife is adjustably attached to the link 422 by means of the clamping pieces 420 and 42l. The link 422 is guided in the U -piece 424 mounted on the knitting machine and is hinged to alever 430, at 43!. The lever 430 is swingably mounted on the knitting machine at 432. The rod-like end of the yarn clamp 408 is, however, loosely and slidably arranged in suitable bores of the clamping pieces 420 and 42L A body 426 is secured to the yarn clamp 408 between the two clamping pieces 420 and 42!, and a spring 428 is interposed between this body 420 and the clamping piece 420. When the lever 430 is in the position shown in Fig. 7 by dash and dot lines, the hook-like member 408 of the clamping means is nearer to the block 402 than the hook-like element 4l4 of the cutting means as already described and shown in Fig. 9. Now, when the lever 430 is swung in the direction of the arrow S in a manner to be described hereinafter, at first the hook-like member 408 of the clamping means abuts against its clamping abutment 4I0 (Figs. 10 and 11) whereby the yarn gripped by the clamping hook is clamped. Now, the yarn clamping hook is arrested, and a relative movement occurs between the link 4,22 and the yarn clamping hook 408 sliding in the bores of the clamping pieces 420 and 42l, when the movement of the lever 430 is continued, whereby the spring 428 is compressed, so that the yarn is tightly held in the clamp. During the continuation of the movement of the lever 430 the hook-like element 4l4 of the cutting means is also drawn into the block 402, whereby the element 414 grips the yarn and severs same near the sinkers I342) and the dividers I361) of the knitting machine as shown in Fig. 12. The movements of the lever 430 are transmitted to the yarn cutting and yarn clamping device on the opposite side of the section by means of the linkage 440, 442, 422 (Figs. 2, 4, 7 and 15) connected to the lever 430 at 43L A stop latch 444, which is secured to a shaft 446 journallcd in the machine frame and is normally engaged with the lower side of an extension 434 of the lever 430, normally holds the lever 430 in the position shown in Figs. 12 and 15, in which the hook-like member 408 of the clamping means and the hook-like element 4|4 of the cutting means are in their normal withdrawn position outside the Working field of the yarn carrier [0%.

The drawings illustrate an automatic heel knitting machine equipped with means for an automatic transfer of prefabricated stocking blanks 800- (see Fig. 7) onto the needles 48 of the knitting machine after the termination of a cycle of operations. Such a transfer mechanism is described in detail in my co-pending patent application Ser. #297,829 filed October 4, 1939, now Patent #2,363,008 and my co-pending patent application Ser. #547,765 filed August 2, 1944, now Patent #2,405,583. When according to Fig. 7, a prefabricated stocking blank 800 has been trans ferred to the needles 4B; the yarn clamp 408 still holds the end of the yarn used in the previous cycle of operation, said end now being the beginning portion 400 of the yarn, The dash and dot line 8l2 shown in Fig. '7 in the high heel 804 shall represent the last course 812 of a high heel portion as shown in full lines in Fig. 8, which, during the transfer by the transfer device of the knitting machine, has been transferred to the needles 48 with the first course of the adjacent sole portion 808 (see Fig. 3). Several courses, for example three, namely the courses 8l5 of the heel tab 8? (see Fig. 7), are knitted onto this last high heel course 8l2, while the beginning portion 409 of the yarn is heldin the clamp, and,

at the same time, the loops of, the first sole course.

are transferred by means of the sole transfer fingers 238a and 238D by one or two needles toward the outsideand are interknitted with the heel tab, as described in detail in my co-pending patent application Ser. #297,829 filed October 4, 1939. M shown in Figs. 7 and 8, the yarn clamp still holds the beginning portion of the yarn during the knitting of the first courses. Now, when after the knitting of the first courses, the yarn carrier has been moved by its driving mechanism from its outer working end position as shown in full lines in Fig. 7 into a position remote from said outer working end position as indicated by dash and dot lines in said Fig. 7, a button III! on the control chain or pattern chain I05 (Figs, 2 and of the knitting machine, which is intermittently advanced during the operation of the knitting machine in a manner known per se, is engaged with the narrowing jack lever HM and swings same about 1e rod IE3 carried by the narrowing jack I33 against the action of a spring I36 stretched between the narrowing jack lever HM and a stationary part of the knitting machine. An arm of the narrowing jack lever H241. is connected with the stop latch 444 by means of a connecting rod I38, so that the above described swinging movement of the narrowing jack lever H20. results in a swinging movement of the stop latch 444 about the pivot 449 from the position shown in Fig. 7 by solid lines into the position shown in the same figure by dash and dot lines. Thus, a roller 439 arranged on the extension 436 of the lever 435 may engage the surface of a control cam 438 (Figs. 2, 4, 7 and 15 keyed to the main camshaft !8 or the knitting machine. According to Fig. 4, at this moment the cam is in such a position that the roller 435 of the extension 334 engages the round portion of the cam 438. Now, when the rotation of the cam in the direction of the arrow T is continued, the roller 436 comes in engagement with the recess 53 of the cam 438, so that the lever 435 (Fig. 7) is swung into the position shown by dash and dot lines in said figure and the hook-like member 408 of the clamping means is moved toward the center, Thus, the beginning portion of the yarn G99 is released and is disengaged from the clamp.

The hook-like element M4 of the cutting means is also moved toward the center, but it cannot catch a yarn, as the yarn carrier is in its innermost end position, as shown by dash and dot lines in Fig. 7. As soon as the roller 436. during the further rotation of the cam 338 through an angle of less than 45, is disengaged from the recess 53 and cooperates with the adjoining round portion of the earn 438, the hook-like member 488 of the clamping means and the hook-like element M4 of the cutting means are again withdrawn into their position outside the working field of the yarn carrier, without, however, cutting a yarn, Thereupon, when the cam 438 is again in the position shown in Fig. 4, the pattern chain I05 is advanced, so that the button H0 is disengaged from the narrowing jack lever H211 and the latter is returned into its normal position shown in Fig. 15 by the spring I36, whereby the latch 444 is again engaged with the lower side of the extension 434 by means of the rod 738 and locks the lever 439 in the position shown by solid lines in Fig. 7. Now, the knitting of the heel tab BIG and the interknitting of the sole portion 8H) with the heel tab may be carried out in any suitable manner, for example as described in my copending application Ser. #297,829 filed October 4, 1939. As soon as the ravel courses 829 (Fig. 14) are finished, the yarn carriers IilBa, I081) (in the embodiment shown in the drawings, the knitting machine has two yarn carriers, one for each half of the needle section) are arrested in the position shown by solid lines in Figs. 7 and 15. This arresting of the yarn carriers is carried out by suitable means controlled by the pattern chain I05 of the knitting machine, for example by stop levers 395a and 39th as set forth hereinafter and as described in detail in my co-pending patent application Ser. #297,829 filed October 4, 1939. Furthermore, approximately at the time of the arresting of the yarn carriers by the stop levers, the narrowing jack lever 'IiZa is again swung about the rod M3 by means of a button on the pattern chain, 50 that the latch 444 is again brought into the position shown in Fig. 7 by dash and dot lines and the clamping hook 408 and the cutting hook AM are again moved into the position shown in Fig. 9. Now, however, the hooks see and H4 may catch the yarn, as now, on both sides of the section, the yarn carriers Ii38a, i581) are directly in front of them, depending on the relationship between the actuation of the stop levers 395a, 3951) and the latch 444 by the pattern chain I85, said movement of the books 498 and H4 taking place, while the yarn carriers are still in their working field or while the yarn carriers are in or near their normal outer working end position. Now, when the hook 438 and the hook 4H3 are again withdrawn in the direction of the arrows shown in Fig. 9, at first the clamping hook 458 clamps the yarn against the clamping abutment 4H! as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, whereupon, according to Fig. 12, the cutting hook 3M severs the yarn at a point between the clamping means and the finished fabric simultaneously with or substantially simultaneously with the stopping of the yarn carriers. Thus, the fabric is automatically pressed oil and falls from the trough S28 (Figs. 1 and 2) into the container 325; the fabric has the form shown in Fig. 14, the short ends 82I of the yarn hanging on the ravel courses. On each side of the section the yarn clamp 498 still clamps the end 409 of the yarn protruding from the respective yarn carrier and is held in its clamping position by the latch .44 again contacting the lower side of the extension 434. As soon as anew prefabricated stocking blank has been transferred to the needles by the transfer device, at first several loop courses SiE are again knitted on to the high heel portion 854 and are simultaneously interknitted with the sole portion Sill, as mentioned above, the end of the yarn which is now the beginning portion 509 of the yarn, being not released by the clamp 498. The releasing of the beginning portion of the yarn takes place only after the knitting ofthese first loop course, as described above. If desired, however, the beginning portion 409 of the yarn could be released already after only one loop course has been knitted or even after only a few new loops have been sunk.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the knitting machine is equipped with a mechanism, by means of which the yarn carrier operating in one half of the needle section and the yarn carrier operating in the other half of the needle sec-v tion are driven in opposite directions. This mechanism is built up in the following manner:

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 5, a roller iSS carried by a lever I50 pivotally mounted at 653 is engaged with the cam path 168 of a draw cam I58 mounted on the main cam shaft IS. The free end of the lever I69 is forked and pivoted to a rack I55 at I62. Said rack I56 is slidably arranged in the bearings I51, I59. The upper end of said rack, which is reciprocated'by means of the lever IBIl during the operation of the draw cam, meshes with a pinion I54 keyed to a shaft I52. A second pinion I59 keyed to said shaft I52 is in engagement with the rack l48a arranged on the upper slur cock bar I 46a, and with the rack I48b arranged on the lower slur cock bar I491), so that said two slur cock. bars are reciprocated in opposite directions with respect to each other. Said slur cock bars cause a movement of the sinkers. I34a and I341) during the operation of the knitting machine as described in my co-pending patent application Ser, #297,829 filed October 4, 1939;

According to Fig. 6; a. bow I 28a is secured to the upper slur cock bar M611 and is guided by a rod- I29 firmly fixed to the machine frame. Said bow I28a follows the reciprocating movements of the upper slur cock bar I46a. The upper thread carrier rails I24a are secured to the upper end of the bow mm and are guided by a stationary holder I 26 arranged in the middle of the knitting machine. The upper yarn carrier rails follow the reciprocating movements of the bow I28a.

According to Fig. 4, a second bow I28b is fastened to the lower slur cock bar I4Bb and is likewise guided by the rod I29 during its reciprocating movements caused by the slur cock bar. On theupper end of thebow I281) the lower yarn carrier rails I241) are fastened, which likewise are guided by the stationary holder I26,

The yarn carriers IIlBa, I98b are mounted on the upper andilower yarn carrier rails I24a, I24b. Said yarn carriers Iflfla, I982) are shiftable on the yarn carrier rails, but they are held on the yarn carrier rails by means of springs in such a man-. ner, that they follow the reciprocating movementsof the yarn carrier rails and are only asrested when they abut against the holder I26 (Fig. 1'), limiting the inner stroke or against stop elements 349a and 3491) which limit the outer stroke'and are adjustable by means of limiting dics 334av and 33Gb secured to the yarn carrier spindle 30, or when the stop levers 396a, 3961) (Figs. 1' and 6) drop into the path of the yarn carriers, whereupon the yarn carrier rails are moved relatively to the arrested yarn carriers riding thereon.

As mentioned above, the two limiting discs 334a and 3341) are secured to the yarn carrier spindle 30 (Figs. 1 and 6). These limiting discs cooperate with the spring actuated limiting elements 348a and 340b, which are slidably mounted on the yarn carrier spindle in longitudinal direction. These limiting elements carry rollers 336a: and 3361), which are pressed against the steps of the limiting discs by the springs 346a and 34Gb. When, during the automatic feed motion of the yarn carrier spindle 30 by the pawl 352 ccoperating with the ratchet wheel 35Ilas described in my co-pending patent application Ser. #297,- 829 filed October 4, 1939, the height of the respective steps of the limiting discs 334a and 3341) contacting the limiting elements 349a and 3401) becomes greater than the height of the preceding steps, the limiting elements 340a and 3491) are shifted in the direction of the arrows D and E, whereby the stroke of the yarn carriers is reduced. When, during the knitting of the ravel courses and the continued feed motion of the yarn carrier spindle-30, the height of the respective steps of the limiting discs 334a and 3341) con.- tacting the limiting elements 349a and 3401) becomes smaller than the height of the preceding steps, the spring actuated limiting elements 340;;

and 349b follow the steps in the direction of the arrows Rand G, whereby finally the stroke of the yarn carriers is readjusted to the value at the beginning of the knitting operation as required for the knitting of a new heel tab in the next cycle of operation.

Furthermore, oneach side of the knitting machine asleeve 392a and 392D respectively (Figs. 1 and-'6) is arranged on the yarn carrier spindle 3I1by means of a slot and key connection between the two arms of the limiting element 340a and 3401) respectively. Thus, each sleeve may be shifted on the-yarn carrier spindle 39 in longitudinal direction but cannot be rotated thereon, so that a shifting of the limiting elements 349a and 3402) respectively causes a shifting of the sleeves 392a and 3921) on the yarn carrier spindle 39 and a feed motion of the yarn carrier spindle 30 results in an equal feed motion of the sleeves 392a and 3921). Each sleeve has a notch on one place of its periphery; for example, the sleeve 392a has a notch 394 as shOWn in Fig. 6. Furthermore, on each side of the knitting machine, a stop lever 396a or 3961) respectively is loosely mounted on a pivot 395 or 39? (Figs. 5 and 6) attached to the limiting element 340a. or 34% respectively. Each stop lever has an adjustable pin 398 or 399 respectively, the projecting end of which slides along the periphery of the sleeve 392a or 3921) respectively when the yarn carrier spindle 30 is advanced. The sleeves are secured-to the yarn carrier spindle 39 in such a waythat upon the last feed motion of the yarn carrier spindle 30, after completion of the ravel courses, the pin falls into the notch, as shown for example in Fig. 6, wherein the pin 398 is engaged with the notch 394. Thus the stop levers 396a, and 396b, which are outside the path of the yarn carriers I08a, I981) as long as the pin 398 or 399 respectively slides along the periphery of the sleeve 3920. or 3922) respectively during the knit ting operations of the knitting machine, drop into the path of the yarn carriers and arrest same, as soon, as the pin 398 and 399 come in engagement with the notch on the respective sleeve. When, later on, in a new cycle of operation, a new feed motion. of the yarn carrier spindle 30 is started, the pins are automatically lifted out of the notches andlthe stop levers 396a and 39Gb are brought out of the path of the yarn carriers. The described automatic arresting of the yarn carriers in combination with the described automatic cuttin of the yarns causes the automatic pressing oil" of the finished fabric and the dropping thereof into the container 825.

In the foregoing paragraphs, the mechanism is described, by means of which the yarn carrier H1811 operating in one half of the needle section and the yarn carrier I08b operating in the other half ofthe needle section are driven in opposite directions. Accordingly, the yarn carriers IIlBa, i932) are moved, in such a way, that, when laying yarns, the move either toward each other from the outside toward the center (see arrows V in Fig. 15,) or away from each other from the center tolthe outside (see arrows W in Fig. 15) Therefore, at theend of a stroke, the yarn carriers are either at the inner portion or at the outer portion of each half of the section. The feature, that the thread carriers in both halves of the section are at the same time at the outer portion thereof, renders possible a simultaneous cutting of'theyarns by means of the two cutting devices on both sidesof the section.

ls. will be readily understood, the pattern con- 10 means-oif theknitting machine may be set in such a manner, that the mechanism described in the foregoing paragraphs causes a reciprocating movement of the hook-like member 408 of the clamping means and of the hook-like element 4 Id of the cutting means into and away from the working field of the yarn carriers, when the yarn carriers are in or near their normal outer working end position as shown in Fig. 7, and when the sinkers 134a, l3 lb and the dividers l36a, I361) are in their withdrawn position and the needles 48 are in the knocking-over position, as shown in Fig. 9.

As described above, the knitting machine has a motor 65!! (Figs, 1, 2 and 4) for the normal hgh-speed operation of the main cam shaft l8 and a motor 652 for an occasional l w-speed operation of the main cam shaft. Said motors are controlled by the change-over switch 668. Preferably, shortly before the actuation of the yarn clamping and cutting device to clamp and cover a yarn or yarns, the high-speed motor 650 is automatically switched off and the low-speed motor 652 is automatically switched on by the change-over switch 668, so that the cam shaft L8 driving the yarn clamp ng and cutting device through the cam 438 rotates at a comparatively low speed during the mechanical clamping and cutting operations. The change-over switch 668 is controlled by the pattern chain Tilt through the medium of a narrowing jack lever l lZg which is shown in Fig. 6 but cannot be seen in Fig. 2 owing to its arrangement in a plane behind the narrowing jack lever HM, and which is connected with the change-over switch 658 by a suitab e link connection 165 shown in Fig. 2. Preferably, the low-speed motor remains in operation until, after the transfer of a new prefabricated stocking blank, the first courses 8I5 (Fig, 8) of the new fabric (new heel tab) have been knitted on to the high heel portion and interknitted with the sole portion and the end of the yarn has been released by the yarn-clamp 4GB. Thereupon, the change-over switch 653 is again actuated by its narrowing jack lever controlled bv the pattern chain, so that the low-speed motor 652 is switched oil? and the high-speed motor 650 is switched on again for the normal high speed operation of the knitting machine.

The drawings shown an automatic yarn cutting mechanism arranged on a knitting machine having only one needle section. Of course, a similar yarn cutting mechanism could also be used in combination with a knitting machine having several needle sections.

Whereas in the specification and drawings the yarn clamping and cutting mechanism has been described in connection with a heeling machine, of course, the yarn clamping and cutting mechanism may also be applied to different knitting machines, for example footing machines, and may also be used for the clamping and cutting of yarns extending from a yarn carrier or carriers to a fabric other than a stocking blank. The yarn clamping and cutting mechanism may be used in connection with any flat knitting machine for use in the severing of the finished fabric from the knitting machine and for the starting of a new fabric. I have described a preferred embodiment of my invention, but, of course, numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. A flat knitting machine comprising: a knitting mechanism including at least one needle section and at least one yarn carrier, automatic means for reciprocating said yarn carrier between the end positions of its working field along needles of the needle section, at least one yarn clamping means, said yarn clamping means including a clamping abutment arranged adjacent the end of the needle section near the outer working end position of the yarn carrier and a reciprocable gripping element arranged for movement into and away from the working field of the yarn carrier for catching yarn and clamping same against said clamping abutment, and automatic means for reciprocating said gripping element at predetermined moments.

2. A fiat knitting machine comprising: a knitting mechanism including at least one needle section and at least one yarn carrier, automatic means for reciprocating said yarn carrier bee tween the end positions of its working field along needles of the needle section. at least one yarn clamping means, said yarn clamping means including a clamping abutment arranged adiacent the end of the needle section near the outer working end position of t e yarn carrier and a reciprocable grippi g element arranged for movement into and away from the working field of the yarn carrier for catching yarn and clamping same against said clamping abutment, at least one yarn cutting means arranged adjacent the end of the needle section for cutting yarn held by said clamping means. and automatic means for actuating said gripping element and said yarn cutting means at predetermined momen s.

3. A fiat knitting machine comprising: a knitting mechanism including at least one needle section and at least one yarn carrier, automatic means for reciprocating said yarn carrier between the end positions of its working field along needles of the needle section, at least one yarn clamping means. said yarn clamping means including a clamping abutment arranged adjacent the end of the needle section near the outer working end position of the yarn carrier and a reciprocable gripping element arranged for movement into and away from the working field of the yarn carrier for catching yarn and clamping same against said clamping abutment, at least one yarn cutting means, said yarn cutting means including a cutting abutment arranged adjacent the end of the needle section near the outer working end position of the yarn carrier and a reciprocable hook-like cutting element arranged for movement into and away from the working field of the yarn carrier for catching yarn extend ng between the gripping element and the fabric hanging on the needles and for cutting said yarn by cooperation with said cutting abutment, and automatic means for actuating said gripping element and said hook-like cutting element at predetermined movements.

4. In combination with a fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, adjusting means for setting the clamping abutment and the cutting abutment in a predetermined position relative to the end of the needle section. I

5. A flat knitting machine comprising: a knitting mechanism including at least one needle section and at least two yarn carriers for each needle section, means for reciprocating said two yarn carriers simultaneously in opposite directions along the needles of said needle section, each yarn carrier being arranged for reciprocating between an outer and an inner working end position of its working field, two yarn clamping means for each needle section, one arn clamping means being r n ed eeeeh en of th hee lese ieh ie rip in a d c jm hg yer ette iiihei m se of said yarn carriers, two yar n cutting means for eeeh ne d e, eee eh on ie hi h m a s heihs h ed e ee h end f th dle. ee ie e cutting i rl l he d b he .ee eeie c am n f hs. a mech ni m we ,sihihiteheehse t e te of t y yari clam in means associate w th a e le see ieh, e i he iemt er. e sf iiit ne s etii 'ti h 9 th ltwe eht ih hieeh e edw th e nee e. se ti n nd ahtemeti hee e eethet h' ,s' eime h isih teethe a ua io ef the e h'ei hihih hieehs hd 1thex ih' iitti e means at predetermined moments. 6. In a flat 1 ;nitting r nach e as claimed in claim 5 eet yam ie hhihe ..f ejhs v he hshns s e eh hihe e i thi h er e d dieee hee of h e dl ee ie hee th ie ter or n end position "of the yarn carrier and a reciprocable rijhh s ei iheht erieheed e m ment int n wa f om th w r ihe fiel ofth h e e er e fe t hihe erh ehd ie hhihehi eee t eieeieihhih hhti eh the eeh er e t ihe ie hei ii s e iittihe tm h arran s ad: eeehlt the l e?! f th .heeei s c ion hea t mit r w'erkih ieh'd hes ieh 9f th e e r and a eeihieeehie iiise-e tt he lem n awa v im t e 4 l a. .e 4 q. .liforQfllQmBeyarn i te ih et een. the vs i .th ne e em h h l e eh ie hahj ihe ehthehee i s 1 i9P9u i aid i h y eee e tieh ith sahi ehttihs a u m t.-v

A fiet hhit ih eehihe e m is h ve n t tingrnechanism inclnding atleast one needle secei he? a iel st Rhee. e ehie here ca ie at least t e w th eiarh mean i a n ampin .ih eh's ihelhd he e eiemhihe ab nt a ed ar this ehei' the needle se tieh n a eei eee le .et hh eeleiheh e te sed ierm v m'efit ii t nd ma hem the w i h lh f t ei ee firie a least-sh hh 'ut s e h rl he h a sei i end o th n edl et h f cutting 'yai'n held by theic lampihgmeans a ro-v tehle .hi ih' eeih shaft .hatt iz eh me ts eh r t i'e eeiiheet ditit sai [ma eem shaft, said main camshaft being arranged to actluate i h hieiheehehisih (31 3? i et elempmg ee e h eehehe se htheee he h i e hh t control means, said pa'ttern c ntrol means being capable of beta. ..e.et tier aus ng a .m eh of said gripping element into the wq fking field of e ei te ier ehh teh iii et h h of the ke t e 9f t e teiehe end. f r e si e a b ent hie eeieht or said sh pih e eme w from said worl gin g l geld of the 'yarn carri er so es 9 'eetle this a id. el hih i e eee h' s e m ih ele i i eht sh efeth, e'me h ia soch e wi h eei i e e htt hs m ans for act atin me 9 tese ei the yerhhe d h 'i he clampin means. M

i3. fifiat knitting machine comprising: a knit ting mechanism inclnding at least cine needle section and at least one yarn carrier, at least one yarn clamping means arranged nehr one end of the needle section for gripping andclamping yarn egtending from the yarn carrier; said clampin means including a clamping abutment arranged outside the Working field of the yarn carrier and a reciprocable grippin'gelement, meansas sociated with said reciprocable'griijping lement fcr not mally holding same outside the working fieldof the yarn carrier against said clamping abutment, at least one yarn cutting means" arranged near said end ofthe needle section for cutting arn #919 i Q eKPPiK e (hea a Ptete I tee h I eemzshei i hattemeeh rel m an op r t v l hheet ewitil-eei tm ih eehts e sai i am sha L eihe ehteh ed te :ae d km hs hie hehi rh a d said .r e h ee h gripping hie tih hehehti he eh t e eeht by said pattern control means saidr pattern control means be g capable of beingsetfcr causing a reciproa he thee hhihferelemeh b h m m ,hette ehe th needle t it h o k l ef theyaih .eeirie iehd aw th refr m t edet m ned teneme ts, and actua ng mean s ci t with said cutting means for actuating same so as to sever yarn held between the gripping elehieh a dv heel mhihs. a en 9. In a fi at lmittinig machine as claimed in lai 8 a c m meh te o ai ai c haft for, in the saidss p i s elemen sai c m e n shaped son as to cause areciprocation of said grip.- hih l men durihea no ti of said main cam haf throu h eha sie of less t a lhe iie knit in a h n s le m d in claim se d kn ttin me hani i lud n a pl reli tfletsihke s and diti 'e h t! atter e tre thieehe heihe eahehle e ein set r cau in seidfl e ih eeet h 9 the shi n e me wh said si is a d h isiei eq trhlied by he part ih 19 h eahse eih the with aw he ie and. t eh si es oi the ni t n mechanism a e hthe rkheehihe-hve pq t cn.

1. e tie/t, k ittin machin as me i e1 ihe idh tt h eehtroim hs ei a ab Q be ng set iq v e si s a ree pr eat en Qf t rih hs eleme ttm c in a d s b uen y e iiiheyemaeeihst the ampiii abut entsul ehtiel a th e d Q a ni ting o era on whi h scarheah ie 0. T thekii tt hg m cha ism .,Qn.-. t e ied'htf hehat e h eqhtite mea s is in t h ti ing field.

7, In e I kn ttin ma hin a m d n claims said pett t eeht e eans being ca able qt b in set e au in a ee e n or th ri in elemen 9 .eatehih and subsequently he iih yarhas ihst the emni ea utm n s stantiallyat the end of a knitting operation while he ve n carri h the kn tt hsim hahism e trolled by the pattern control means is substane tiei ih tshute weri he e d P it o 13. -In a fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 8, said pattern control means being capable f be ng se or ausin a e hi' e t e .ef the ripping eleme o rel a n yarn afte he start hi .kh ttih pe a n whe th a r e i he knit ing mech n sm c nt l d by th pattern control means is remote from its outer nehha eemi g e d .hes ehf at h i tt hsima hi epmhif sihe e ni iie meeha iisih .i e i dihe a l as n ee l ehehd a ea 9 .1 teei rqe b e a r e a least ehe erh amp ng means a n e h he m ans helhdihe a c amp n bu ent ere ra ed hea on end of the needle e o a e he hree hle .er ihs leme t a r n ed fo mev hfeh nto and way rom h wo kin fi ld of the yarn carrier, at least one yarn cutting hea'hs aitieh edlh er said nd of the needle s ieh er tt n am h d b e l m i g s, a rotatable main can; shaft, and pattem control means operatively connected with said main earn sha t sa d ma n. eih h i ein a an to aethert eiti n. this me han sm se'id y n c amp i e means and i ya e s mea s. in he pendence on the control by said pattern control means, and said pattern control means being caehi q being se fe eahs he a mo m t f' a srihhihe eieihe t hi s he work n held o he yarn carrier substantially at the end of the knitting of the fabric and for causing a subsequent movement of said gripping element away from said working field of the yarn carrier so as to catch yarn and clamp same against said clamping abutment and for causing an actuation of the yarn cutting means so as to sever the yarn after being clamped by the ciamping means.

15. A flat knitting machine comprising: a knitting mechanism including at least one needle section and at least one yarn carrier, at least one yarn clamping means arranged near one end of the needle section for gripping and clamping yarn extending from the yarn carrier, said clamping means including a clamping abutment arranged outside the working field f the yarn carrier and a reciprocable gripping element, means associated with said reciprocable gripping element for normally holding same outside the working field of the yarn carrier against said clamping abutment, at least one yarn cutting means arranged near said end of the needle section for cutting yarn held by the clamping means, said cutting means including a cutting abutment arranged outside the working field of the arn carrier and a reciprocable hook-like cutting element capable of cooperation with said cutting abutment for severing a yarn, means associated with said reciprocable hook-like element for normally holding same outside the working field of the yarn carrier, a rotatable main cam shaft, and pattern control means operatively connected with said main cam shaft, said main'cam shaft being arranged to actuate said knitting mechanism said gripping element and said hook-like element in dependence on the control by said pattern control means, and said pattern control means bein capable of being set for causing a reciprocation of the gripping element and of the hook-like cutting element by the main cam shaft along the needles into the working field of the yarn carrier and away therefrom at predetermined moments.

16. In a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 15, cam means mounted on said main cam shaft for driving said gripping element and said hook-like cutting element, said cam means being shaped so as to cause a reciprocation of said gripping element and of said hook-like cutting element during a rotation of said main cam shaft through an angle of less than 17. In a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 15, a reciprocable actuating mechanism operatively connected with said gripping element and said hook-like cutting element, and a cam mounted on the main cam shaft for engagement with said actuating mechanism, said gripping element and said hook-like cutting element being in such a relationship to each other that, at the end of their inward movements towards the center of the needle section, the hook-like cutting ele-. ment is nearer to the center of the needle section than the gripping element whereby, during their subsequent outward movements, the clamping means grips and clamps the yarn before cutting means severs same.

18. In a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 15, said knitting mechanism including a plurality of sinkers and dividers, said pattern control means being capable of being set for causing the reciprocation of the gripping element and the hook-like cutting element when said sinkers and dividers controlled by the pattern control means are in their withdrawn position and the needles of the knitting mechanism are in their knocking-over position.

19. In a fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 15, said pattern control means being capable of being set for causing a reciprocation of the gripping element and of the hook-like cutting element substantially at the end of a knitting operation while the yarn carrier of the knitting mechanism controlled by the pattern control means is substantially in its outer working end position, and for causing a severing of the yarn by the yarn cutting means substantially simultaneously with the arresting of the yarn carrier.

20. In combination with a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 14, said pattern control means being capable of being set for causing an uninterrupted clamping of the yarn against the clamping abutment after the cutting of the yarn until a new cycle of knitting operations for knitting a new fabric has been started.

21. In a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 14, said pattern control means being capable of being set for continuing the clamping of the yarn against the clamping abutment after the cutting of the yarn and for causing a further reciprocation of the gripping element for releasing the arn after the start of a new cycle of knitting operations.

22. In a fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 14, said pattern control means being capable of being set for causing a further reciprocation of the gripping element for releasing the yarn clamped upon th previous reciprocation of the gripping element when, after the start of a new cycle of knitting operations, the yarn carrier of the knitting mechanism controlled by the pattern control means is remote from its outer normal working end position.

23. A flat knitting machine comprising: a knitting mechanism including at least one needle section and at least two yarn carriers for each needle section, means for reciprocating said two yarn carriers simultaneously in opposite directions along the needles of said needle section, two yarn clamping means for each needle section, one yarn clamping means being arranged near each end of the needle section for gripping and clamping yarn extending from one of said yarn carriers, two yarn cutting means for each needle section, one yarn cutting means being arranged near each end of the needle section for cutting yarn held by the associated clamping means, a mechanism for a simultaneous actuation of the two yarn clamping means associated with a needle section, a mechanism for a simultaneous actuation of the two yarn cutting means associated with a needle section, a rotatable main cam shaft, and pattern control means operatively connected with said main cam shaft, said main cam shaft being arranged to actuate said knitting mechanism and said mechanisms for the actuation of the yarn clamping means and the yarn cutting means in dependence on the control by said pattern control means, and said pattern control means being capable of being set for causing a gripping and subsequent clamping of the yarns by the yarn clamping means substantially at the end of the knitting of the fabric and for causing an actuation of the yarn cutting means so as to sever the yarns after being clamped by the clamping means.

24. In combination with a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 23, said pattern control means being capable of being set for causing an uninterrupted clamping of the yarns extending from the yarncarriers by the yarn clamping means after the cutting of the yarns until a new cycle of knitting operations for knitting a new fabric has been started.

25. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mechanism, comprising the steps of knitting a fabric, then, substantially at the end of the knitting of the fabric, gripping yarn between an active yarn carrier and the fabric by moving automatically operated means parallel to the needle series into and away from the working field of the yarn carrier for a subsequent clamping and cutting of the yarn in timed relationship to the operation of the knitting machine, clamping the yarn, cutting the yarn, and continuing the clamping of the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier until a new cycle of operation for the knitting of a new fabric has been started.

26. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gripping of yarn takes place while the yarn carrier is within .in its working field.

2'7. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gripping of yarn takes place, when the yarn carrier is substantially in its normal outer working end position.

28. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mechanism including a plurality of sinkers and dividers as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gripping of yarn takes place, when the sinkers and dividers are in their withdrawn position and the needles are in their knocking-over position.

29. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mechanism including a plurality of sinkers and dividers as claimed in claim 25, wherein the gripping of yarn and the subsequent cutting there- -of takes placing during a rotation of the main 'cam shaft of the knitting machine through an angle of less than 45.

30. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 25, wherein the cutting of yarn takes place substantially simultaneouslywith the arresting of the yarn carrier.

31. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 25, wherein the clamping of the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier is continued until new loops of the new fabric have been sunk.

32. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 25, wherein the clamping of the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier is continued until at least one loop course of the new fabric has been knitted.

33. A method for the automatic Clampingand cutting of yarn in "a flat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mechanism including'amain camshaft as claimed .in claim 25, wherein, after the start of a new cycle of operation of the knitting machine, the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier is released during a rotation of the main cam shaft of the knitting machine through an angle of less than 45 while the active yarn carrier is .inia position remotefromits router normal work- .ing end position.-

34. A method for the automatic clampingand cutting of yarn in a fiat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mechanism, comprising the steps of knitting a fabric, then, substantially at the end of the knitting of the fabric, gripping yarn between an active yarn carrier and. the fabric by moving automatically operated means parallel to the needle seriesinto and away from the working field of the yarn carrier for a subsequent clamping and cutting of the yarn in timed relationship to the operation of the knitting machine, clamping the yarn by engaging the clamping elements of automatically operated clamping means with each other, cutting the yarn, continuing the clamping of the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier by holding said clamping elements engaged with each other until a new cycle of operation for the knitting of anew fabric has been started, and, after the start of said new cycle of operation, releasing said end of the yarn by disengaging said clamping elements from each other.

35. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the gripping 'ofyarn takes place while the yarn carrier is within in-its Working field.

36. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a, fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the gripping of .yarn takes place, when the yarn carrier is substantially in its normal outer working end position.

37. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operatedknitting mechanism including a plurality of sinkers and dividers as claimed in claim 34, wherein the gripping of yarn takes place, when the sinkers and dividers are in their withdrawn position and the needles are in their knocking-over position.

38. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mechanism including a plurality of 'sinkersand dividers as claimed in claim 34, wherein :the gripping of yarn and the subsequent cutting thereof takes place during a rotation 'of the main cam shaft of the knitting machine through an angle of less than 45.

39. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the cutting of yarn takes place substantially simultaneously'with the arresting of the yarn carrier.

40. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a flat knitting machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the release of the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier by disengaging the clamping elements from each other takes place after the sinkingof new loops of the new fabric.

41. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a, fiat knitting machine as claimed in claim 34, wherein the release of the end of the yarn extending from the yarn carrier takes place after the knitting of atleast 'oneloop course of the new fabric.

42. A method for the automatic clamping and cutting of yarn in a fiat knitting machine equipped with an automatically operated knitting mecha 17 of the knitting machine through an angle of less than 45 while the active yarn carrier is in a position remote from its outer normal working end position.

FRITZ LAMBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Ischinger Dec. 7, 1937 Nesmith 1 July 29, 1856 Johnstone July 6, 1880 Miller Apr. 2, 1918 Miller Nov. 30, 1937 

